Most of Putin’s foreign policies remain the same a year+ Medvedev has taken over as President.

After President Dmitry Medvedev was elected last year, then-President Vladimir Putin made a rather telling promise about his chosen successor.

“Medvedev is no less a Russian nationalist than I am, in the positive sense of the word, and I do not think that our partners will have it any easier with him.” - Putin

Many intelligent westerners have alwayed known (beleived) that Russia is a “Directed Democracy”. Meaning a few elite people direct how the Democracy is run. In the Russian Directed Democracy it would be difficult for a unkwon long shot to rise to the top of government like President Barack Obama did in the United Satates. Most Westerners say this as some what of a put down to Russia. I do not think this is fair or correct. Russia has there own unique way of running a Democracy which is equal or perhaps better than the USA.

Popularity: 9% [?]

The UK-owned bulk carrier Ariana was sailing under the Maltese flag, and Somali pirates captured the vessel with 24 Ukrainian crew onboard.

Vasily Kirilitch, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry press secretary, confirmed to Interfax that all the sailors are Ukrainian nationals. He said the country’s embassies were instructed to “take prompt measures to set constant contact with ship-owner, operating company and authorities in order to clarify circumstances of the capture and free the sailors as soon as possible”.

It seems that the super powers of the world should be able to stop these pirates.

The Gulf of Aden remains one of the most dangerous places in the modern maritime world. According to Kenya’s foreign minister, Somali pirates have collected more than $150 million in ransoms over the last year. Somalia is a political and economic mess – and piracy offers the chance for a profitable business.

Pirates had a constant presence in the news in September 2008 when they seized the Ukrainian freighter Faina. The ship with a crew of 18 Ukrainians, three Russians and one Latvian was carrying 32 battle tanks and ammunition. This just shows how long these Pirates have been getting away with this.

By Sara Freidman

Popularity: 8% [?]

By Tom Forrest –

A NATO diplomat claims the Russians were expelled over the case of Herman Simm, who was jailed for treason for handing over over 1,900 pages of information to Russia’s Intelligence Service.

Two Russian diplomats Victor Kochukov and Vasily Chizhov have lost their accreditation to NATO”S headquarters in Brussels. It is not clear how much this will impact relations with Russia. Since Barack Obama has taken office things seemed to be improving however as we have stated in previous articles the long unresolved conflict over proposed missile defense systems remains a major issue and concern of bothe the USA and Russia.

Russia has complained bitterly about NATO’s plan to hold a peacekeeping exercise next month in Georgia. But NATO says Russian officers were invited to take part in the two-week event and Russia is aware the exercise presents no threat.

NATO spokesman James Apparthurai said Thursday he could not confirm whether any diplomat’s accreditation had been withdrawn because he could not comment on intelligence matters.

Popularity: 14% [?]